Why should schools opt for 3D printing?

It is the innovations of the present that transcend into future. Change is inevitable in life, and every opportunity to transform things into something better should be seized. The world works on experimentation and risks, trying methods or techniques to enhance pre-existing technologies or to create new ones. One such latest technology is 3 D printing. An emerging trend among people that gives them the power to regenerate existing models or to recreate their prototypes in actual form. It is a technology that empowers the user to create something that engages him in a truly enthralling experience.

Including 3D printing in schools can be an amazing reform, which would not only aim at enhancing the technical prowess of the students but also give them the power to take their creativity and ideas to a totally different level. Young minds are very susceptible and can easily adapt to change. If they are trained through 3D printing techniques and if this becomes a part of their curriculum, their retention power and innovative spirit would augment to reach its optimum potential. Kids have an intuitive mind which can be easily molded and 3D printing can help in shaping them productively. Getting the kids involved with these subjects at a young age could nurture their interest and spawn the next generation of engineers and makers, which will give them a future and solve a major problem for the world at large.

These 3D printing superlabs can act as innovation centers to lure young minds and unleash their creativity. Its biggest advantage lies in achievable interdisciplinarity that allows working together on big projects, collaborating and reiterating ideas and visions into products. The cherry on the top of it is that all children are truly thrilled by creative activities that actually provide a tangible outcome. With this technology being in news for its potential in manufacturing sectors, it is vital for every child to understand the concepts of 3D printing and its applications in real world scenarios.

Education is the only medium of world progress which can be achieved by adopting changes in technology and advancement in various fields. With the surging rise in the use of these techniques in medical, industrial and construction fields, it is evident that we expand its use in the educational sector as well. Adopting new trends is the duty of any educational system and helping the students to adapt to these techniques should be the focus of any educationist. Life is all about change and acknowledging these technologies is what is required in today’s world. It will provide the students a competitive edge over others and help them in coping with these upcoming trends. This technology will help them in obtaining a product for their vision in reality and to recreate their prototypes for testing before implementation. It will motivate students to innovate more and to create working models of their product in miniature forms without being afraid of the consequences of failure. This freedom to create without fear is what defines 3D printing and this can prove to be a lifetime’s opportunity for students if this method becomes a part of their course.

-Astha Negi